A permit not tied to a named employer — available only in defined situations.
An open work permit allows you to work for most employers in Canada without being tied to one named employer. It is what most people want, and it is the most misunderstood permit in the system — because it is not something you can simply apply for on the basis that it would suit you.
Open permits are available only in defined situations. The most common are the Post-Graduation Work Permit for graduates of eligible Canadian programs, permits for spouses and partners of certain permit holders, and permits attached to particular circumstances such as a pending permanent residence application or a vulnerable-worker situation.
'Open' also has limits. Some open permits are occupation-restricted, and none of them permits work for an employer who is ineligible — for example one that has failed to comply with foreign worker rules. The permit will state any restrictions on its face, which is the document worth reading rather than the general description.
| Tied to an employer | No |
|---|---|
| Availability | Only in defined categories — not a general option |
| Most common routes | PGWP, spouse or partner of certain permit holders |
| LMIA | Not required |
| Restrictions | Some are occupation-restricted; check the permit itself |
What an application on this route usually involves. Not a checklist that guarantees anything — IRCC sets the requirements, and they change.
Whether it fits you is what a consultation is for. This page cannot answer that and does not try to.
The single most common misunderstanding on this route. Open describes the permit, not the eligibility.
Some open permits are occupation-restricted. The permit states this, and the restriction is enforceable regardless of what the general description says.
Employers who have failed compliance inspections appear on a public list and cannot hire on these permits.
Eligibility has narrowed. Confirming first avoids a very expensive surprise.
No. It is a category you fall into rather than an option you select. If none of the defined situations applies to you, the route is an employer-specific permit instead.
Most, but not all. Employers found non-compliant with foreign worker rules are ineligible, and some open permits carry occupation restrictions printed on the permit.
No. Spousal open work permits are restricted to defined categories, and those categories have narrowed in recent years. It should be confirmed before anyone resigns a job abroad.
Yes, and it is the most common one. Its eligibility depends on the institution and program studied.
That is the one question this page cannot answer. Start with the free assessment, then bring your situation to a consultation with the RCIC-IRB.
Start Your AssessmentBook a paid consultationThis page is general information. It is not an assessment of your eligibility, and nothing on it is immigration advice for consideration. Open Work Permit matters at ZIMMR are advised on directly by Irshad Osman, RCIC-IRB.
Verify on the CICC public register